Coffee Blog

Puzzling over coffee.

Writing Sparkle

Welcome to book review forty-six of fifty-two for this year’s virtual coffee shares. I’ve picked books related to the Brewing Coffee, Twisting Words & Breaking Pencils theme—coffee, books, and puzzles.

Blueberry Muffin Murders
The author is Joanne Fluke
Published in 2011
The publisher is Kensington
Available in eBook, Audiobook, Hardcover, and Mass Market (320 pages)
Private Investigator Mysteries (Books) | Cozy Culinary Mysteries | Cozy Animal Mysteries

This book wasn’t on my original list of books to read, review, and share during Weekend Coffee Share. However, I realized it was a good fit when the main character said, “As the proprietor of The Cookie Jar, Lake Eden’s coffee shop and bakery . . .” Blueberry Muffin Murder is book three of thirty-five in the Hannah Swensen series.

These are cozy murder mystery books that include recipes.

You can find my full review on Goodreads: Blueberry Muffin Murder review.

If we were having coffee, I would share a picture of the puzzle that I have been working on for weeks. It really was challenging. I found because of the colours that it was best to work on it in natural daylight instead of at night with the lights on. Anyway, it took a while, but it was a satisfying image to complete. It’s called “Starry Night” and is a Buffalo Games 1000-piece puzzle.

Has anyone completed a 3000-piece puzzle? I haven’t, but I am curious about it.

If we were having coffee, I’m partway through The Illustrated Life Journal course offered through Domestika. I’m enjoying it. It’s brief, but it provides enough information to get set up and start art journaling independently. What I like about it is the freedom of images. When I draw, I get so caught up in creating a perfect image that it can take the enjoyment out of it. With this journaling, she teaches you that images are for you and nobody needs to see them; individual images are all part of a larger page; it isn’t about perfection, it’s about mindfulness and gratitude. So, I find I’ve let go of judgment about the work and love the process and the completed page.

If we were having coffee, there was no coffee share link-up last week. If you are curious about my post, you can check it out at “Flipping the cards—tarot, books, and puzzles.”

That’s my share this week. Here is the coffee bean grinder, virtual friend. How was your week?

By Shari Marshall – 2025

12 thoughts on “Puzzling over coffee.”

  1. Oh, I’m so glad you decided to take the Illustrated Life Journal class! I need to dive back in and finish it…I got distracted by all the other things I’m excited about these days 🙂

    That puzzle is wild! Congratulations on completing it! It looks quite challenging! I’ve never completed a 3000 piece puzzle, I’ll be curious to see if any of your readers have!

    Hope you have a lovely day and wonderful weekend ahead!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. My boys and my husband don’t have the patience for puzzling either. I didn’t use to, but I picked it up during the COVID lockdown down and it’s been a hobby that stuck.

      Thank you for stopping in. I hope you have a lovely weekend.

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  4. That puzzle is very beautiful! I mostly do much easier puzzles with the children at work. During the longer holidays my daughter and I sometimes play with a larger puzzle together. Thank you for the delicious coffee. Earlier this morning I picked up a big box of books that I’ve ordered, unboxing them is next on my to-do list today 🙂 Have a great weekend and week to come!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. I can’t remember the last time I attempted a puzzle.. I do like the puzzle tables, I’ve seen though, that have an indentation on the table top for your puzzle and then a wooden top you put over it, so you can keep your puzzle intact and use your table at other times. The Illustrated Life Journal sounds interesting!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Kathleen.

      I have seen those puzzle tables too, and I think they are brilliant. I don’t have one and don’t need to replace the table I have. However, I have toyed with the idea of getting a piece of plexiglass to top the table when I’m working on a puzzle that won’t fit on my puzzle board. I haven’t done it yet because I’m not sure if it’s the right puzzling move for me.

      The Illustrated Life Journal has been wonderful. It takes journaling to another level and adds in gratitude and mindfulness.

      Thanks for stopping in. Happy Sunday.

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